Entering the Warcraft Mountains

In the study.

"You want to go out and train?" Xiao Zhan looked at his son before him and asked in surprise.

"Yes! I'm a Dou Zhe now, after all. Protecting myself won't be a problem. Besides, I'll only be wandering around the outskirts of the Warcraft Mountains near Wutan City. Nothing will happen. Staying at home may improve my strength, but it can't improve my practical combat experience, so I still need to train outside," Xiao Yan explained patiently.

"Why not wait until after your coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen before going out to train? You only have one year until then. With your talent, you'll probably be at least a six-star Dou Zhe by then! Wouldn't it be better to train outside then? Or is there another reason? Is it because of Nalan Yanran?" Xiao Zhan asked doubtfully.

"Training a year later would be safer, but how can I grow without experiencing the trials of real blood and death? I want to venture out like my two older brothers and return before the coming-of-age ceremony. As for Nalan Yanran, I've never taken her to heart," Xiao Yan said indifferently.

"All right! You've always had your own mind, and I won't stop you. But you must be extra careful. Being away from home is nothing like being at home; danger is everywhere. And danger does not come only from magical beasts. People are more dangerous than magical beasts. I hope you remember that, lest something unexpected happen," Xiao Zhan warned Xiao Yan.

"Yes! I'll remember it well." Xiao Yan nodded seriously. Xiao Zhan was right. People were indeed often far more dangerous than magical beasts, because magical beasts did not have so many schemes and tricks.

"Mm, aren't you going to say goodbye to Xun'er before leaving to train?" Xiao Zhan blinked, speaking rather teasingly.

"Cough, well! I'm only going out to train for a year. What's there to say goodbye for? I'm leaving!" As though his tail had been stepped on, Xiao Yan ran out awkwardly.

Watching his son flee in embarrassment, Xiao Zhan asked in confusion, "Isn't it just saying goodbye? Why did he react so strongly?"

"Oh, right. If the clan ever runs into trouble in the future, you can go to my room. I left some good things under the bed that can help the clan get through the crisis." Only after leaving the room did Xiao Yan remember that he had forgotten to tell his father about the medicinal pills, though he did not state it outright.

"This child! What good things could you possibly have? At most, it's just the savings you've accumulated over the years. Besides, what difficulties could the clan possibly face?" Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly, not taking Xiao Yan's words seriously.

Xiao Yan looked at the third low-grade Storage Ring on his hand, a proud smile appearing on his lips. Three Storage Rings! Though they were low-grade, even the Xiao Clan only had one each for his father and the First Elder. He had bought the third one a few days ago when he went to the Mitel Auction House to collect supplies for wilderness survival.

His wilderness survival supplies were fully prepared, and the medicine for guarding against the Jia Lie Clan had also been refined. Xiao Yan no longer wasted any time and walked straight out of the Xiao Clan toward the Warcraft Mountains. Since he was only training for a year, he would not be going to the Tagor Desert. Thus, he would not make a special trip to Qingshan Town before entering the Warcraft Mountains from there.

Wutan City was also right next to the Warcraft Mountains, and Xiao Yan reached their entrance in just two hours.

At the entrance to the Warcraft Mountains, it was much like a game Xiao Yan had played in his previous life. Everywhere, people were shouting for teammates. The Warcraft Mountains were extremely dangerous. Even first-tier magical beasts were stronger than ordinary human Dou Zhes. Moreover, once one entered the Warcraft Mountains, one would not encounter only a single magical beast. Most magical beasts appeared in groups. Only a very few appeared alone, but even then, one should not be happy, because they were most likely high-tier magical beasts.

Xiao Yan did not join a team. His physical strength alone matched that of a first-tier magical beast, and with his own cultivation, defeating one or two first-tier magical beasts alone would not be a problem. Besides, even if he could not defeat them, couldn't he run? After little hesitation, Xiao Yan strode into the Warcraft Mountains.

"Hey! Come back! It's dangerous inside!" Seeing how young Xiao Yan was and that he actually dared to run into the Warcraft Mountains, several mercenaries hurriedly called out to stop him.

"Are you talking about me?" Xiao Yan turned around in confusion and pointed at his own nose.

"Who else would we be talking about if not you? Kid, hurry home! This is the Warcraft Mountains, and it's filled with magical beasts. If you go in there, you probably won't even have bones left. You'll become magical beast dung!"

"Hehe! Thank you for the warning, Uncle! But I came to the Warcraft Mountains to train." Xiao Yan thanked him and prepared to enter the mountains again.

"Train? How old are you? You're not even an adult yet, are you? Whose child are you? How could your parents be so heartless? Aren't they sending you to your death?" One mercenary found it hard to believe Xiao Yan's words.

"Hehe, don't let my age fool you. I'm already a Dou Zhe, so I came out to train." Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, thanked these kind-hearted people again, and continued walking inward.

"You kid! Why won't you listen to reason?"

One mercenary uncle quickly ran toward Xiao Yan, grabbed him, and tried to pull him back. However, Xiao Yan stood rooted to the spot without moving an inch. Instead, the mercenary staggered and was dragged two steps forward by Xiao Yan.

"Hm? What incredible strength!" the mercenary uncle said in surprise.

"Hehe, I didn't lie to you, did I? I really am a Dou Zhe," Xiao Yan explained again. Though he was somewhat impatient, they meant well, so he naturally would not speak harshly to them.

"With that strength, I believe you. But why aren't you joining a team? Even if you're a Dou Zhe, acting alone is still extremely dangerous," the mercenary uncle advised again.

"Someone is waiting for me inside. Thank you for your concern. Use this money to buy yourselves some wine!" Xiao Yan made up a lie. If he did not, he would probably have to keep explaining. Still, since they had kindly warned him, he felt he should show some appreciation. He took out a money pouch and tossed it to the mercenary uncle, telling them to buy wine.

"Does anyone know this young man?" The mercenary uncle accepted the money pouch and asked the people around him.

"I know him. He seems to be the young master of the Xiao Clan in Wutan City!" another mercenary said.

"So he's Xiao Yan, the young master of the Xiao Clan! But I heard that Nalan Yanran of the Misty Cloud Sect broke off her engagement with him."

"What do you know? I heard Xiao Yan defeated Nalan Yanran, and it was Xiao Yan who broke off the engagement with her."

"Wow! I heard Nalan Yanran is the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect's prized disciple, and her strength has already reached Three-star Dou Zhe. Xiao Yan actually defeated her? How strong must he be?"

"No wonder he dared to come alone to train in the Warcraft Mountains. He really has confidence in his abilities!"

Amid their discussion, Xiao Yan slowly stepped into the wondrous place known as the Warcraft Mountains, a place he had long looked forward to. But were the Warcraft Mountains truly as wonderful as Xiao Yan had imagined? Only time would tell.